trice

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
  2. verb raise with a line
  3. verb hoist up or in and lash or secure with a small rope

Etymology

From Middle English trīcen, trice, trise (“to pull or push; to snatch away; to steal”), from Middle Dutch trīsen (“to hoist”) (modern Dutch trijsen) or Middle Low German trissen (“to trice the spritsail”); further etymology uncertain. The word is cognate with Danish trisse, tridse (“to haul with a pulley”), Low German trissen, tryssen, drisen, drysen (“to wind up, trice”), German trissen, triezen (“to annoy or torment”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

blink of an eye, flash, heartbeat, instant, jiffy, split second, twinkling, wink, New York minute

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